In 1997
the Ord River growers initiated a three year community planning
process to identify strategies to address four key areas:
land, river, conservation, and town. This process resulted
in the development of the Ord Land and Water Management
Plan (OLWMP), and the establishment of the Ord Land and
Water Management Board (OLW). The "Land" component
of the OLWMP focuses on improved water management for the
ORIA.
There is strong correlation between the strategies of the
OLWMP and the strategies of the Water Use Improvement Program
(WUIP). In the WUIP this linkage is explained to ensure
both OIC and OLW are able to progress their respective programs
efficiently.
Furthermore, OIC recognises that there are government agencies,
the Water Corporation (WC), Department of Environment and
Department of Agriculture Western Australia (DAWA), involved
in agricultural and irrigation projects that affect water
management and significantly influence the implementation
of water management improvements in the S1 CSSA. As such,
the WUIP attempts to identify collaborative opportunities
with agency and community where appropriate.
To progress this further, a Water Management Reference
Group was established to develop a collaborative and integrated
approach to achieve improved water management in the irrigation
area. The group included relevant community, industry and
government stakeholder representatives ensuring all needs
were met in both a natural resource management and a regulatory
context. This approach resulted in more efficient investment
of regional resources, identification of information gaps,
removal of duplication and improved project outcomes and
resource condition. Under this group the following series
of projects were developed and implemented.
With the development of the Natural Resource Management
Plan and the identification of the Ord Catchment as a National
Action Plan (NAP) priority area the group expanded its membership
to incorporate the representatives of the entire Ord Catchment.
Through this process the OCRG has developed an Investment
Package for NAP funding in the catchment in alignment with
the Kimberley NRM Plan.
Current members of the OCRG are:
With the above membership the Ord Catchment Reference Group
has the scope required to view water management at a whole
of catchment level. It will prioritise targets from within
the Rangelands NRM Plan in alignment with local priorities
and ensure resources are used efficiently.
The role of the Ord Reference Group is as follows –
- Guide the identification, development and implementation
of strategies and actionswhich improve Water Management
in the Ord Catchment.
- Guide the determination of roles and responsibilities
of stakeholders in the development and implementation
of strategies and actions that improve Water Management
in the Ord Catchment.
- Identify and collaboratively pursue funding opportunities
to support the implementation of strategies and actions
that improve Water Management in the Ord Catchment.
- Inform relevant stakeholders on the direction and outcomes
of the Ord Reference Group
Projects currently funded and being managed by the OCRG
are viewable at the Rangelands Web page below.
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